Mets ax pitching coach, head trainer as purge continues
The Mets continued the shakeup of their major-league staff Tuesday, firing pitching coach Dan Warthen and head trainer Ray Ramirez. They will reorganize their medical/training staff and minor-league staff as well, Sandy Alderson said in a conference call with reporters.
The Mets GM added that Kevin Long will get “strong consideration” in an interview to replace Terry Collins as manager. Alderson said the Mets are in the process of gathering other candidates as well.
“Kevin Long has expressed an interest in interviewing for the manager’s position and that will certainly be given strong consideration,” Alderson said. “I do believe that ultimately, depending on the managerial choice, that both (Long and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler) will be back.
“As far as managerial candidates are concerned, we do not have a final list. We have a preliminary list,” Alderson said. “We will be fine-tuning that over the next few days and commence the process.”
That list includes Alderson allies Bob Geren, who served as Mets bench coach before leaving in 2016 to take the same job with the Dodgers, and Chip Hale, the current A’s third base coach who lost out on the job to Collins in 2010.
But Alderson was emphatic that he does not have to be familiar with the candidate.
“No, my familiarity with the candidate is not necessary,” Alderson said. “In fact, I am intrigued by some of the names that have come up whom I've never met.”
The list also includes former Met and White Sox manager Robin Ventura, former Met and current White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing and former Met and current Astros bench coach Alex Cora.
That new manager will have “input,” but will not necessarily make the decision on the new pitching coach. Alderson cited Warthen's friendship with Collins as well as the poor pitching — starters and bullpen — this year.
Warthen ends a 10-year run in that position that included guiding R.A. Dickey to a Cy Young, Jacob deGrom to a 2014 Rookie of the Year award and a staff of young arms to the World Series in 2015 and back to the playoffs in 2016.
He has been offered another position in the organization, but Alderson said Warthen had not yet told him if he accepted the still-undefined role in the organization.
That offer may be an attempt to ease the concern of pitchers like deGrom, who said he saw “no reason to change,” and Noah Syndergaard, who ended the 2017 season with a parting shot to the front office.
“As far as pitching coach situation, I think it’s pretty much blls--t with Dan. He’s taking the blame for all the injuries we’ve had this year,” Syndergaard said Sunday.
The injuries were overwhelming, so it’s not surprising Ramirez took the fall.
Alderson said that moves made “midseason” already started the restructuring of the team’s medical/ training staff. The Mets will add some staff and work to improve the communication between them, the front office and field staff.
“Adding personnel also means reorganizing areas of responsibility and reporting all toward the view of making sure the front office and the baseball staff have current meaningful information,” Alderson said. “And that the players are getting the best possible care.”
Alderson doubled down on controversial trainer Mike Barwis, saying he is an asset to the organization who is not involved in the day-today maintenance of players.
“Barwis is a consultant, he’s tremendously knowledgeable about physiology, anatomy and performance therapy and performance conditioning,” Alderson said. “He doesn’t dictate to players what they are going to do or not do.”
Besides injuries, the Mets’ other main issue is that they do not have a stockpile of good young players. They were not happy with how shortstop prospect Amed Rosario, first base Dominic Smith and some young pitchers came up to the majors looking unprepared.
“I was disappointed with how some of our young players performed over the course of a few weeks. I am glad we got a look at them, but in some cases there is work to be done,” Alderson said. “There are going to be changes at our Triple-A affiliate, in fact, I think major changes. We’re taking a hard look at the rest of our player development system as well.”
Alderson sees Collins, who stepped down as manager after Sunday’s season finale, as someone who can help get the minor-league system in order. He has the title of special assistant to the GM. HOWARD SIMMONS/DAILY NEWS & GETTY